The South Asian University would strive to provide world class education in keeping with the most recent international trends in University education, in terms of choice of subjects across various disciplines and pedagogical approaches.

Relevance will be ensured through alignment of the academic program with the University’s core objectives. Quality will be ensured through collecting the very best academics available in the world for teaching, research and peer review.

In order to ensure that the SAU becomes the leading center of excellence for learning in the region, the SAU aims to draw upon the very best academics working in the region and outside, whose thoughts and research work are at the cutting edge of knowledge and of direct relevance to the SAU’s objectives. The SAU would ensure this through a set of competitive incentives and facilities to attract the very best.

The SAU believes that knowledge is the most powerful means for promoting meaningful understanding of diversity, building cohesion and promoting tolerance. By providing a common forum where such knowledge is accumulated, generated and disseminated, the South Asian University aims to become the focal point for the search for common ground and socio-economic development of the region.

The SAU, therefore, aims to provide for programs of studies which:
 
• have the potential to promote regional understanding, peace and security which ultimately enhances the wellbeing of the people of the region;

• reach newer, common and challenging frontiers in various disciplines, and inter-disciplinary outfits, usually not available in individual countries.

• lead to creation and sharing of knowledge that has the potential of creating a South Asian Community of intellectuals, endowed with expanding mutual trust and appreciation of one another’s problems

In today’s world, whether it is for pursuing very basic research inquiries or for seeking solutions to emerging problems, research efforts have to be multidisciplinary. Special Interdisciplinary Research Centers will, therefore, be a hallmark of SAU. The provision of expertise in multiple basic areas will ensure that the interdisciplinary effort can be initiated rapidly.

The interdisciplinary activities will be designed to meet the needs for 1) building a culture of understanding and regional consciousness; 2) nurturing a new class of liberal, bright and quality leadership and 3) building the capacity of the region in science, technology and other disciplines considered vital for improving the quality of life of the people.

The SAU will ensure that the graduates from this University will have the most marketable and
relevant skills needed for the region as also for the international job market. Specialization in these niche areas will ensure that the SAU brand name for particular skills would be established and that, in turn, would bestow substantial employment benefits on the youth of the region.